Which symbol on government IFR charts identifies the FAF as a Maltese cross for nonprecision approaches?

• A. Maltese Cross Symbol
• B. Lightning Bolt Symbol
• C. Circle with cross
• D. Star Symbol

Answer: (A)

On government IFR charts, the Maltese cross marks the Final Approach Fix for nonprecision approaches. This point signals the start of the final approach segment, where you descend from the intermediate altitude to the published minimum descent altitude (MDA) and continue the approach using only the lateral guidance provided, since vertical guidance is not available. The FAF is the reference where you begin your final descent path toward the runway on nonprecision procedures. For precision approaches, the fix and descent point are depicted differently because vertical guidance is provided. The other symbols indicate different chart features rather than the FAF for nonprecision approaches.